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- St. Scholastica’s College vs. Toress G.R. No. 100158 June 2, 1992Consoliate !a"or #ssociation vs $ars%an Co%&an'

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT

Manila

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-!"#$ %ul& #' ()*

CONSOL+,ATE, LABOR ASSOC+AT+ON O TE P+LS.' petitione/'

0s.

MARSMAN an1 CO.' +NC.' an1 the COURT O +N,USTR+AL RELAT+ONS' /espon1ents.

-----------------------------

G.R. No. L-!"2! %ul& #' ()*

MARSMAN an1 Co.' +NC.' petitione/'

0s.CONSOL+,ATE, LABOR ASSOC+AT+ON O TE P+L+PP+NES ON. %OSE S.

BAUT+STA ON. ARSEN+O +. MART+NE3' ON. BALTA3AR M. 4+LLANUE4A' an1

ON. EM+L+ANO C. TAB+GNE' /espon1ents.

Sal0a1o/ . Lau/el an1 Apolonio 4. Santia5o fo/ petitione/.

%ose C. Espinas an1 Associates fo/ /espon1ent Consoli1ate1 Labo/ Association of thePhilippines.

C+R Le5al ,i0ision fo/ /espon1ent %u15es.

MA6AL+NTAL' %.7

+n the Cou/t of +n1ust/ial Relations' Ma/s8an 9 Co.' +nc.' he/einafte/ /efe//e1 to as the

Co8pan&' :as cha/5e1 :ith unfai/ labo/ p/actice co88itte1 a5ainst si;t&-nine office/s an18e8be/s of the Ma/s8an 9 Co8pan& E8plo&ees an1 Labo/e/s Association pa&


2/12

ne5otiations hel1 bet:een the Co8pan& an1 the Union' the& faile1 to /each +n a5/ee8ent so on

Ap/il $' (2* the Union' faile1 a notice of st/i>e :ith the ,epa/t8ent of Labo/. Me1iation b& the

Conciliation Se/0ice of that ,epa/t8ent p/o0e1 f/uitless.

he/efo/e' the pa/ties /espectfull& p/a& that the fo/e5oin5 stipulation of facts be a18itte1 an1

app/o0e1 b& this ono/able Cou/t' :ithout p/eFu1ice to the pa/ties a11ucin5 othe/ e0i1ence to p/o0e thei/ case not co0e/e1 b& this stipulation of facts. :phH.IJt

On %une *' (2* the Union 1ecla/e1 a st/i>e an1 at the sa8e ti8e place1 a K/oun1-the-cloc>K pic>et line a/oun1 the Co8pan&s p/e8ises in +nt/a8u/os' Manila. The tense situation in the

st/i>e @one p/o8pte1 the Manila Police ,epa/t8ent to sen1 police8en the/eto to p/ese/0e peace.

Mean:hile the Labo/ ,epa/t8ents Conciliation Se/0ice continue1 to 8e1iate bet:een the

/ep/esentati0es of the Union an1 of the Co8pan&.

On %ul& D' (2* so8e 2" e8plo&ees' of :ho8 nine :e/e 8e8be/s of the National Labo/ Union

an1 one a 8e8be/ of MARCELA' ente/e1 the Co8pan& p/e8ises un1e/ police esco/t in o/1e/ to

/etu/n to :o/>.

On %ul& #"' (2*' in a confe/ence calle1 b& Eleute/io A1e0oso' then Sec/eta/& of Labo/' theUnion officials an1 8e8be/s then p/esent :e/e p/e0aile1 upon b& A1e0oso to accept the

p/oposals of Antonio 1e las Alas' Co8pan& 0ice-p/esi1ent' that the& stop the st/i>e an1 5o bac>

to :o/>' an1 that :hen the& :e/e al/ea1& :o/>in5 the Co8pan& :oul1 1iscuss :ith the8 thei/1e8an1s. Upon bein5 info/8e1 to the Unions acceptance of the p/oposal the st/i>e/s /etu/ne1 to

:o/>. The Co8pan& a18itte1 bac> si;teen pic>etin5 st/i>e/s on Au5ust (' (2* an1 late/ on' it

also /ee8plo&e1 non-union e8plo&ees an1 a 8aFo/it& of the st/i>e/s. o:e0e/' co8plainants

he/ein :e/e /efuse1 a18ittance an1 :e/e info/8e1 b& Co8pan& officials that the& :oul1 not be/einstate1 unless the& cease1 to be acti0e Union 8e8be/s an1 that in an& case the Co8pan&

al/ea1& ha1 enou5h 8en fo/ its business ope/ations.

As a /esult the st/i>e an1 the pic>etin5 :e/e /esu8e1' because of :hich e8plo&ees :ho ha1 been

a18itte1 to :o/> since %ul& D' (2* ha1 to sta& insi1e the Co8pan& p/e8ises' :he/e the

Co8pan& fu/nishe1 the8 foo1 an1 ua/te/s up to Octobe/ (2*. Ne0e/theless so8e of thosee8plo&e1 coul1 5o in an1 out afte/ office hou/s to 0isit thei/ fa8ilies.

,u/in5 the st/i>e' so8e of the pic>ete/s an1 so8e non-st/i>e/s :e/e a//este1 :ithin the st/i>e

@one fo/ ha0in5 co88itte1 unla:ful acts' an1 :e/e 1ul& cha/5e1 the/e:ith.

A petition fo/ :/it of inFunction file1 b& the Co8pan& a5ainst MARCELA an1 its p/esi1ent'

Buena0entu/a Baca&' on the 5/oun1 that the st/i>e an1 pic>et :e/e bein5 8aintaine1 ille5all&':as 1enie1 b& the Cou/t of i/st +nstance of Manila' :hich pointe1 out that p/ope/ c/i8inal

co8plaints shoul1 ha0e been file1 a5ainst the in1i0i1ual st/i>e/s in the co//espon1in5 cou/ts.

Because of the Co8pan&s consistent /efusal to /einstate the )( co8plainants e0en afte/ /epeate1

/euests' the Confe1e/ation of Labo/ Associations of the Philippines in5 e8plo&ees :oul1 ha0e a ti5ht to be /einstate1 if' in the inte/i8' thee8plo&e/ ha1 not hi/e1 othe/ pe/8anent :o/>e/s to /eplace the8. o/ it is /eco5ni@e1 that 1u/in5

the pen1enc& of an econo8ic st/i>e an e8plo&e/ 8a& ta>e steps to continue an1 p/otect his

business b& suppl&in5 places left 0acant b& the st/i>e/s' an1 is not boun1 to 1ischa/5e those hi/e1fo/ that pu/pose upon election of the st/i>e/s to /esu8e thei/ e8plo&8ent.D But the st/i>e

chan5e1 its cha/acte/ f/o8 the ti8e the Co8pan& /efuse1 to /einstate co8plainants because of

thei/ union acti0ities afte/ it ha1 offe/e1 to a18it all the st/i>e/s an1 in fact 1i1 /ea18it theothe/s. +t :as then con0e/te1 into an unfai/ labo/ p/actice st/i>e.


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The Co8pan& 1isputes the +n1ust/ial Cou/ts fin1in5s that e/s all the st/i>e/s if the& :oul1 onl& stop the st/i>e an1 as fu/the/ in1uce8ent

p/o8ise1 that the Unions 1e8an1s :oul1 be 1iscusse1 :hen the st/i>e/s :e/e al/ea1& :o/>in5.

A1e0oso con0ince1 the Union office/s an1 8e8be/s :ho :e/e p/esent to accept ,e las Alas

p/oposal.

The lo:e/ cou/ts /easons' :e thin>' a8pl& ans:e/ the Co8pan&s contention that ,e las Alas

coul1 not' b& his offe/' ha0e boun1 the Co8pan& because it :as 4elilla' an1 not he' :ho ha1 the

autho/it& to 1eal :ith the st/i>e/s7

The 1enial of /espon1ent that Antonio 1e las Alas :as not autho/i@e1 b& the Co8pan& butA8an1o L. 4elilla to 1eal :ith the union :ith /espect to the st/i>e is not :o/th& of belief. i/st'

because then ,e las Alas :as an e;ecuti0e 4ice-P/esi1ent :hile 4elilla :as onl& the Sec/eta/& of

the Co8pan& secon1' :hile /espon1ent :ants to i8p/ess this Cou/t that 4elillas autho/it& to1eal :ith the st/i>e/s :as 0i/tue of the Boa/1 /esolution' such 1ocu8ent :as not p/esente1 in

Cou/t an1 thi/1 not e0en ,e las Alas :as p/esente1 to 8a>e the 1enial.

The Co8pan& clai8s that the co8plainants applie1 fo/ /ea18ission onl& on %une !' (22' 8o/ethan a &ea/ afte/ the offe/' :hen the CLAP' in thei/ behalf' :/ote the Co8pan& as>in5 fo/ thei/

/einstate8ent. P/io/ to sai1 lette/' ho:e0e/' co8plainants ha1' b& 0a/ious 8eans' sou5ht

/ea18ission. Afte/ ,e las Alas in0itation to /etu/n to :o/> :as accepte1 b& the Union office/san1 8e8be/s' the& info/8e1 all the othe/ st/i>e/s acco/1in5l&. The/eupon the st/i>e/s te/8inate1

the st/i>e an1 p/esente1 the8sel0es fo/ :o/> at the Co8pan&s p/e8ises. Ei5ht& one of the

st/i>e/s :e/e allo:e1 to co8e bac>. But the Co8pan&s secu/it& 5ua/1s' upon inst/uctions of theCo8pan& officials' ba//e1 the ent/ance :hen co8plainants atte8pte1 to ente/' an1 info/8e1

the8 that the& ha1 to :/ite in1i0i1ual lette/s of application. So co8plainants co8plie1 :ith this

/eui/e8ent. +t appea/s that the applications :e/e sc/utini@e1 b& a co88ittee of e8plo&ees

co8pose1 of Sal0a1o/ Bantiue assistant accountant of the 8ines 1i0ision Ma/iano Lee' pu/chasin5 a5ent %uan 1e 4e/a' pa&8aste/ an1 Re5ina C/u@' accountant. Then the applications

:e/e fu/the/ sc/eene1 b& a pe/sonnel co88ittee co8pose1 of %an . Ma/s8an' Antonio 1e las

Alas' Cha/les G. e/18an an1 A8an1o 4elilla. None of the si;t&-nine applications 8et :ithfa0o/able action b& eithe/ co88ittee.

+n a11ition to :/itin5 fo/8al lette/s of application a nu8be/ of co8plainants phone1 :hile othe/s pe/sonall& app/oache1 thei/ /especti0e chiefs of 1epa/t8ent in the Co8pan&. So8e also :ent to

see Sal0a1o/ Bantiue' chai/8an of the sc/eenin5 co88ittee' an1 e;p/esse1 thei/ 1esi/e to :o/>.

Bantiue' ho:e0e/' upon lea/nin5 that the st/i>e/s' a8on5 the8 Eulo5io Lab/a1o/' :e/e still

acti0e union 8e8be/s' info/8e1 the8 that the& shoul1 fi/st 1isaffiliate f/o8 the union in o/1e/ to be /einstate1. u/the/8o/e' A8an1o 4elilla' :hen app/oache1 b& a 5/oup of co8plainants' tol1

the latte/ that the& ha1 been a:a& fo/ a lon5 ti8e that the Co8pan& ha1 enou5h e8plo&ees an1

1i1 not nee1 a11itional help that so8e of those :ho8 he ha1 in0ite1 to /etu/n /efuse1 an1 that b& that ti8e


4/12

The st/i>e :as ille5al of pu/pose' the Co8pan& insists' fi/st' because it :as sta5e1 fo/ a t/iflin5

/eason an1 secon1' the union 1e8an1s' :hich ha1 p/ecipitate1 the st/i>es' :e/e al/ea1& co0e/e1 b& an +n1ust/ial Cou/t Fu158ent' fo/ the alte/ation' 8o1ification o/ settin5 asi1e of :hich a

ce/tain p/oce1u/e has to be follo:e1.

The Union be5an the st/i>e because it belie0e1 in 5oo1 faith that settle8ent of thei/ 1e8an1s :as

at an i8passe an1 that fu/the/ ne5otiations :oul1 onl& co8e to nau5ht. +t stoppe1 the st/i>e upon

the belief the& coul1 5o bac> to :o/>. Then it /ene:e1 the st/i>e e= as a p/otest a5ainst the 1isc/i8ination p/actice1 b& the Co8pan&. Both a/e 0ali1 5/oun1s fo/ 5oin5 on

a st/i>e.

+t is t/ue that on Au5ust *' (2D the +n1ust/ial Cou/t p/o8ul5ate1 a 1ecision in C+R Case No.2!-4' Ma/s8an an1 Co8pan& E8plo&ees an1 Labo/s Association 8o1ification of the afo/e8entione1 Fu158ent. +t ha1 onl& to 5i0e the p/ope/ st/i>e notice' as in fact it 1i1.

The Co8pan& fu/the/ a/5ues that since the 8etho1s use1 b& the st/i>e/s :e/e ille5al' it ha1 the

/i5ht to /efuse the8 /ea18ission. Of the )( co8plainants' nine' na8el& AleFan1/o MoFa/' Manuel

Ma@o' Esteban Bo/Fa' Cecilio alo' Eu5enio 4alen@uela' Elias Matic' Ma/cos Buccat' Malisi8o4a/5as an1 Rica/1o Antonio' :e/e cha/5e1 :ith an1 con0icte1 of 0a/ious c/i8es li>e coe/cion'

8alicious 8ischief' ph&sical inFu/ies' b/each of the peace' li5ht th/eats' an1 1a8a5e to p/ope/t&'

all co88itte1 1u/in5 the pe/io1 f/o8 Septe8be/ *' (2* to Octobe/ D' (2*. A18itte1l&' the

Co8pan& coul1 not ha0e con1one1 these acts :hich :e/e co88itte1 afte/ it ha1 offe/e1 to/einstate the st/i>e/s. Ne0e/theless' as the lo:e/ cou/t /easone1 out' it 1oes not appea/ that the

afo/e8entione1 in1i0i1ual acts :e/e autho/i@e1 o/ e0en i8plie1l& sanctione1 b& the Union.

ence' the othe/ st/i>e/s :ho :e/e innocent of an1 1i1 not pa/ticipate in the ille5al acts shoul1not be punishe1 b& bein5 1ep/i0e1 of thei/ /i5ht of /einstate8ent. +t is onl& those :ho ha1 been

foun1 5uilt& :ho shoul1 be penali@e1 b& the loss of the /i5ht.#

e no: co8e to the uestion of bac>pa&. +n an econo8ic st/i>e' the st/i>e/s a/e not entitle1 to

bac>pa&' since the e8plo&e/ shoul1 5et the eui0alent 1a&s :o/> fo/ :hat he pa&s his

e8plo&ees. ,u/in5 the ti8e that the st/i>e :as an econo8ic one' co8plainants ha1 no /i5ht to

bac> pa&. The +n1ust/ial Cou/t coul1 not ha0e 8a1e a fin1in5 of unfai/ labo/ p/actice :ith/espect to such ti8e' as none ha1 so fa/ been co88itte1. This bein5 an unfai/ labo/ p/actice case'

it cannot' the/efo/e' o/1e/ /einstate8ent 8uch less bac> pa& fo/ that pe/io1.*

On the othe/ han1' e0en afte/ the cou/t has 8a1e a fin1in5 of unfai/ labo/ p/actice' it still has the

1isc/etion to 1ete/8ine :hethe/ o/ not to 5/ant bac> pa&. Such 1isc/etion :as not abuse1 :hen it

1enie1 bac> :a5es to co8plainants' consi1e/in5 the cli8ate of 0iolence :hich atten1e1 the st/i>ean1 pic>et that the co8plainants con1ucte1. hile the co8plainants o/1e/e1 /einstate1 1i1 not

acti0el& ta>e pa/t in the acts of 0iolence' thei/ 8inato/& attitu1e to:a/1s the Co8pan& 8a& be

5athe/e1 f/o8 the fact that f/o8 the 0e/& fi/st 1a& of the st/i>e police8en ha1 to pat/ol the st/i>e

@one in o/1e/ to p/ese/0e peace.

EREORE' the Fu158ent appeale1 f/o8 is affi/8e1' :ithout costs.

Ben5@on' C.%.' Pa1illa' Bautista An5elo' Concepcion' Re&es' %.B.L.' Pa/e1es an1 Re5ala' %%.'

concu/.

ootnotes

An econo8ic st/i>e is 1efine1 as one :hich is to fo/ce :a5e o/ othe/ concessions f/o8 thee8plo&e/ :hich he is not /eui/e1 b& la: to 5/ant.


5/12

DTelle/' Labo/ ,isputes an1 Collecti0e Ba/5ainin5' 4ol. ++' !2*-!22.

#PECO 0. C.+.R.' L-!2)' Ma& #' (22.

*Mala&a o/>e/s Union in5 union 8e8be/s te/8inate1

fo/ aban1on8ent of :o/> afte/ failin5 to co8pl& :ith /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/s of the Sec/eta/& of

Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent in the ne5otiations p/o8pte1 the UN+ON to file on * Octobe/ ((" a Notice of St/i>e:ith the ,epa/t8ent of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent ete1 as NCMB-NCR-NS-"-$D).

On 2 No0e8be/ (("' the UN+ON 1ecla/e1 a st/i>e :hich pa/al&@e1 the ope/ations of the

COLLEGE. Affectin5 as it 1i1 the inte/est of the stu1ents' public /espon1ent SECRETARi88e1iatel& assu8e1 Fu/is1iction o0e/ the labo/ 1ispute an1 issue1 on the sa8e 1a&' 2

No0e8be/ (("' a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/. The follo:in5 1a&' ) No0e8be/ (("' instea1 of

/etu/nin5 to :o/>' the UN+ON file1 a 8otion fo/ /econsi1e/ation of the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/uestionin5 inte/ alia the assu8ption of Fu/is1iction b& the SECRETAR o0e/ the labo/ 1ispute.

On ( No0e8be/ (("' the COLLEGE sent in1i0i1ual lette/s to the st/i>in5 e8plo&ees enFoinin5the8 to /etu/n to :o/> not late/ than $7"" ocloc> A.M. of D No0e8be/ ((" an1' at the sa8e

ti8e' 5i0in5 notice to so8e t:ent&-th/ee e/s that thei/ /etu/n :oul1 be :ithout

p/eFu1ice to the filin5 of app/op/iate cha/5es a5ainst the8. +n /esponse' the UN+ON p/esente1 alist of


6/12

Li>e:ise' on ( No0e8be/ (("' /espon1ent SECRETAR 1enie1 /econsi1e/ation of his /etu/n-

to-:o/> o/1e/ an1 ste/nl& :a/ne1 the st/i>in5 e8plo&ees to co8pl& :ith its te/8s. On D

No0e8be/ (("' the UN+ON /ecei0e1 the O/1e/.

The/eafte/' pa/ticula/l& on * an1 2 No0e8be/ (("' the pa/ties hel1 conciliation 8eetin5s

befo/e the National Conciliation an1 Me1iation Boa/1 :he/e the UN+ON p/une1 1o:n its1e8an1s to th/ee o/1e/ of 2 No0e8be/ ((" so that Kapp/op/iate steps un1e/the sai1 ci/cu8stancesK 8a& be un1e/ta>en b& hi8.

On D# No0e8be/ (("' the COLLEGE 8aile1 in1i0i1ual notices of te/8ination to the st/i>in5

e8plo&ees' :hich :e/e /ecei0e1 on D) No0e8be/ (("' o/ late/. The UN+ON office/s an18e8be/s then t/ie1 to /etu/n to :o/> but :e/e no lon5e/ accepte1 b& the COLLEGE.

On 2 ,ece8be/ (("' a Co8plaint fo/ +lle5al St/i>e :as file1 a5ainst the UN+ON' its office/s

an1 se0e/al of its 8e8be/s befo/e the National Labo/ Relations Co88ission e/sK b& the COLLEGE. +t also

sou5ht 1is8issal of the co8plaint. Since then' no fu/the/ hea/in5s :e/e con1ucte1.

Respon1ent SECRETAR /eui/e1 the pa/ties to sub8it thei/ /especti0e position pape/s. The

COLLEGE p/a&e1 that /espon1ent SECRETAR uphol1 the 1is8issal of the e8plo&ees :ho1efie1 his /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/.

On D Ap/il ((' /espon1ent SECRETAR issue1 the assaile1 O/1e/ :hich' inte/ alia' 1i/ecte1the /einstate8ent of st/i>in5 UN+ON 8e8be/s' p/e8ise1 on his fin1in5 that no 0iolent o/

othe/:ise ille5al act acco8panie1 the con1uct of the st/i>e an1 that a fle15lin5 UN+ON li>e

p/i0ate /espon1ent :as Knatu/all& e;pecte1 to e;hibit unb/i1le1 if ine;pe/ience1 enthusias8' in

asse/tin5 its e;istenceK. D Ne0e/theless' the afo/esai1 O/1e/ hel1 UN+ON office/s /esponsible fo/the 0iolation of the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/s of 2 an1 ( No0e8be/ ((" an1' co//espon1in5l&'

sustaine1 thei/ te/8ination.

Both pa/ties 8o0e1 fo/ pa/tial /econsi1e/ation of the O/1e/' :ith petitione/ COLLEGE

uestionin5 the :is1o8 of the /einstate8ent of st/i>in5 UN+ON 8e8be/s' an1 p/i0ate

/espon1ent UN+ON' the 1is8issal of its office/s.

On # Ma& ((' in a Resolution' /espon1ent SECRETAR 1enie1 both 8otions. ence' this

Petition fo/ Ce/tio/a/i' :ith P/a&e/ fo/ the +ssuance of a Te8po/a/& Rest/ainin5 O/1e/.

On D) %une ((' e /est/aine1 the SECRETAR f/o8 enfo/cin5 his assaile1 O/1e/s insofa/ as

the& 1i/ecte1 the /einstate8ent of the st/i>in5 :o/>e/s p/e0iousl& te/8inate1.

Petitione/ uestions the assu8ption b& /espon1ent SECRETAR of Fu/is1iction to 1eci1e on

te/8ination 1isputes' 8aintainin5 that such Fu/is1iction is 0este1 instea1 in the Labo/ A/bite/

pu/suant to A/t. D! of the Labo/ Co1e' thus ?

A/t. D!. %u/is1iction of Labo/ A/bite/s an1 the Co88ission. ?


7/12

non-a5/icultu/al7 . . . D. Te/8ination 1isputes . . . 2. Cases a/isin5 f/o8 an& 0iolation of A/ticle

D)* of this Co1e' inclu1in5 uestions on the le5alit& of st/i>es an1 loc>-outs . . .

+n suppo/t of its position' petitione/ in0o>es Ou/ /ulin5 in PAL 0. Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1

E8plo&8ent # :he/e e hel17

The labo/ Sec/eta/& e;cee1e1 his Fu/is1iction :hen he /est/aine1 PAL f/o8 ta>in5 1isciplina/&

8easu/es a5ainst its 5uilt& e8plo&ees' fo/' un1e/ A/t. D)# of the Labo/ Co1e' all that the

Sec/eta/& 8a& enFoin is the hol1in5 of the st/i>e but not the co8pan&s /i5ht to ta>e actiona5ainst union office/s :ho pa/ticipate1 in the ille5al st/i>e an1 co88itte1 ille5al acts.

Petitione/ fu/the/ conten1s that follo:in5 the 1oct/ine lai1 1o:n in Sa/8iento 0. Tuico * an1

Union of ilip/o E8plo&ees 0. Nestle Philippines' +nc.' 2 :o/>e/s :ho /efuse to obe& a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ a/e not entitle1 to be pai1 fo/ :o/> not 1one' o/ to /einstate8ent to the positions the&

ha0e aban1one1 of thei/ /efusal to /etu/n the/eto as o/1e/e1.

Ta>in5 a cont/a/& stan1' p/i0ate /espon1ent UN+ON plea1s fo/ /einstate8ent of its 1is8isse1office/s consi1e/in5 that the act of the UN+ON in continuin5 :ith its pic>et :as ne0e/

cha/acte/i@e1 as a Kb/a@en 1is/e5a/1 of successi0e le5al o/1e/sK' :hich :as /ea1il& appa/ent inUnion ilip/o E8plo&ees 0. Nestle Philippines' +nc.' sup/a' no/ :as it a :illful /efusal to /etu/n

to :o/>' :hich :as the basis of the /ulin5 in Sa/8iento 0. Tuico' sup/a. The failu/e of UN+ON

office/s an1 8e8be/s to i88e1iatel& co8pl& :ith the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/s :as not becausethe& :ante1 to 1ef& sai1 o/1e/s /athe/' the& hel1 the 0ie: that aca1e8ic institutions :e/e not

in1ust/ies in1ispensable to the national inte/est. hen /espon1ent SECRETAR 1enie1 thei/

8otion fo/ /econsi1e/ation' ho:e0e/' the UN+ON inti8ate1 that effo/ts :e/e i88e1iatel&

initiate1 to fashion out a /easonable /etu/n-to-:o/> a5/ee8ent :ith the COLLEGE' albeit' iffaile1.

The issue on :hethe/ /espon1ent SECRETAR has the po:e/ to assu8e Fu/is1iction o0e/ a labo/ 1ispute an1 its inci1ental cont/o0e/sies' causin5 o/ li>el& to cause a st/i>e o/ loc>out in an

in1ust/& in1ispensable to the national inte/est' :as al/ea1& settle1 in +nte/national

Pha/8aceuticals' +nc. 0. Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent. ) The/ein' e /ule1 that7

. . . The Sec/eta/& :as e;plicitl& 5/ante1 b& A/ticle D)# el& to cause a st/i>e o/ loc>out in an

in1ust/& in1ispensable to the national inte/est' an1 1eci1e the sa8e acco/1in5l&. Necessa/il&' thisautho/it& to assu8e Fu/is1iction o0e/ the sai1 labo/ 1ispute 8ust inclu1e an1 e;ten1 to all

uestions an1 inclu1e an1 e;ten1 to all uestions an1 cont/o0e/sies a/isin5 the/ef/o8' inclu1in5

cases o0e/ :hich the Labo/ A/bite/ has e;clusi0e Fu/is1iction.

An1 /i5htl& so' fo/' as foun1 in the afo/esai1 case' A/ticle D! of the Labo/ Co1e 1i1 conte8plate

of e;ceptions the/eto :he/e the SECRETAR is autho/i@e1 to assu8e Fu/is1iction o0e/ a labo/1ispute othe/:ise belon5in5 e;clusi0el& to the Labo/ A/bite/. This is /ea1il& e0i1ent f/o8 its

openin5 p/o0iso /ea1in5 Ke :as ne0e/

sub8itte1 to hi8 fo/ /esolution' he :as thus foun1 to ha0e e;cee1e1 his Fu/is1iction :hen he


8/12

/est/aine1 the e8plo&e/ f/o8 ta>in5 1isciplina/& action a5ainst e8plo&ees :ho sta5e1 an ille5al

st/i>e.

Befo/e the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent 8a& ta>e co5ni@ance of an issue :hich is 8e/el&

inci1ental to the labo/ 1ispute' the/efo/e' the sa8e 8ust be in0ol0e1 in the labo/ 1ispute1 itself'

o/ othe/:ise sub8itte1 to hi8 fo/ /esolution. +f it :as not' as :as the case in PAL 0. Sec/eta/& o/Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent' sup/a' an1 he ne0e/theless acte1 on it' that assu8ption of Fu/is1iction is

tanta8ount to a 5/a0e abuse of 1isc/etion. Othe/:ise' the /ulin5 in +nte/national Pha/8aceuticals'

+nc. 0. Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent' sup/a' :ill appl&.

The sub8ission of an inci1ental issue of a labo/ 1ispute' in assu8ption an1o/ ce/tification cases'

to the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent fo/ his /esolution is thus one of the instances /efe//e1

to :he/eb& the latte/ 8a& e;e/cise concu//ent Fu/is1iction to5ethe/ :ith the Labo/ A/bite/s.

+n the instant petition' the COLLEGE in its Manifestation' 1ate1 ) No0e8be/ (("' as>e1 the

KSec/eta/& of Labo/ to ta>e the app/op/iate steps un1e/ the sai1 ci/cu8stances.K +t li>e:ise

p/a&e1 in its position pape/ that /espon1ent SECRETAR uphol1 its te/8ination of the st/i>in5e8plo&ees. Upon the othe/ han1' the UN+ON uestione1 the te/8ination of its office/s an1

8e8be/s befo/e /espon1ent SECRETAR b& 8o0in5 fo/ the enfo/ce8ent of the /etu/n-to-:o/>o/1e/s. The/e is no 1ispute then that the issue on the le5alit& of the te/8ination of st/i>in5

e8plo&ees :as p/ope/l& sub8itte1 to /espon1ent SECRETAR fo/ /esolution.

Such an inte/p/etation :ill be in consonance :ith the intention of ou/ labo/ autho/ities to p/o0i1e

:o/>e/s i88e1iate access to thei/ /i5hts an1 benefits :ithout bein5 incon0enience1 b& the

a/bit/ation an1 liti5ation p/ocess that p/o0e to be not onl& ne/0e-:/ac>in5' but financiall&

bu/1enso8e in the lon5 /un. Social Fustice le5islation' to be t/ul& 8eanin5ful an1 /e:a/1in5 toou/ :o/>e/s' 8ust not be ha8pe/e1 in its application b& lon5-:in1e1 a/bit/ation an1 liti5ation.

Ri5hts 8ust be asse/te1 an1 benefits /ecei0e1 :ith the least incon0enience. o/' labo/ la:s a/e

8eant to p/o8ote' not 1efeat' social Fustice afte/ failin5 to co8pl& st/ictl& :ith a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/' shoul1 be

/einstate1.

e uote he/eun1e/ the pe/tinent p/o0isions of la: :hich 5o0e/n the effects of 1ef&in5 a /etu/n-

to-:o/> o/1e/7

. A/ticle D)# es' pic>etin5' an1 loc>outs. ? . . . el& to cause a st/i>e o/ loc>out in an in1ust/& in1ispensable to the

national inte/est' the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent 8a& assu8e Fu/is1iction o0e/ the

1ispute an1 1eci1e it o/ ce/tif& the sa8e to the Co88ission fo/ co8pulso/& a/bit/ation. Suchassu8ption o/ ce/tification shall ha0e the effect of auto8aticall& enFoinin5 the inten1e1 o/

i8pen1in5 st/i>e o/ loc>out as specifie1 in the assu8ption o/ ce/tification o/1e/. +f one has

al/ea1& ta>en place at the ti8e of assu8ption o/ ce/tification' all st/i>in5 o/ loc>e1 oute8plo&ees shall i88e1iatel& /etu/n to :o/> an1 the e8plo&e/ shall i88e1iatel& /esu8e

ope/ations an1 /ea18it all :o/>e/s un1e/ the sa8e te/8s an1 con1itions p/e0ailin5 befo/e the

st/i>e o/ loc>out. The Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent o/ the Co88ission 8a& see> theassistance of la: enfo/ce8ent a5encies to ensu/e co8pliance :ith this p/o0ision as :ell as :ith

such o/1e/s as he 8a& issue to enfo/ce the sa8e . . .


9/12

A/t. D)*. P/ohibite1 acti0ities. ? e o/ loc>out :ithout fi/st ha0in5 ba/5aine1 collecti0el& in acco/1ance :ith Title 4++ of thisBoo> o/ :ithout fi/st ha0in5 file1 the notice /eui/e1 in the p/ece1in5 A/ticle o/ :ithout the

necessa/& st/i>e o/ loc>out 0ote fi/st ha0in5 been obtaine1 an1 /epo/te1 to the Minist/&.

No st/i>e o/ loc>out shall be 1ecla/e1 afte/ assu8ption of Fu/is1iction b& the P/esi1ent o/ the

Ministe/ o/ afte/ ce/tification o/ sub8ission of the 1ispute to co8pulso/& o/ 0olunta/& a/bit/ation

o/ 1u/in5 the pen1enc& of cases in0ol0in5 the sa8e 5/oun1s fo/ the st/i>e o/ loc>out. . . e/ :hose e8plo&8ent has been te/8inate1 as conseuence of an unla:ful loc>out

shall be entitle1 to /einstate8ent :ith full bac> :a5es. An& union office/ :ho >no:in5l& pa/ticipates in an ille5al st/i>e an1 an& :o/>e/ o/ union office/ :ho >no:in5l& pa/ticipates in the

co88ission of ille5al acts 1u/in5 a st/i>e 8a& be 1ecla/e1 to ha0e lost his e8plo&8ent status7

P/o0i1e1' That 8e/e pa/ticipation of a :o/>e/ in a la:ful st/i>e shall not constitute sufficient

5/oun1 fo/ te/8ination of his e8plo&8ent' e0en if a /eplace8ent ha1 been hi/e1 b& the e8plo&e/ 1u/in5 such la:ful st/i>e . . . in5 . . . e8plo&ees shalli88e1iatel& /etu/n to :o/>.K This 8eans that b& its 0e/& te/8s' a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ is

i88e1iatel& effecti0e an1 e;ecuto/& not:ithstan1in5 the filin5 of a 8otion fo/ /econsi1e/ation

:oul1' in the o/1ina/& cou/se' ha0e al/ea1& passe1 an1

hence can no lon5e/ be affi/8e1 insofa/ as the ti8e ele8ent is conce/ne1.


10/12

Mo/eo0e/' the assu8ption of Fu/is1iction b& the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent o0e/ labo/

1isputes in0ol0in5 aca1e8ic institutions :as al/ea1& uphel1 in Philippine School of Business

A18inist/ation 0. No/iel :he/e e /ule1 thus7

The/e is no 1oubt that the on-5oin5 labo/ 1ispute at the school a10e/sel& affects the national

inte/est. The school is a 1ul& /e5iste/e1 e1ucational institution of hi5he/ lea/nin5 :ith 8o/e o/less ('""" stu1ents. The on-5oin5 :o/> stoppa5e at the school un1ul& p/eFu1ices the stu1ents an1

:ill entail 5/eat loss in te/8s of ti8e' effo/t an1 8one& to all conce/ne1. Mo/e i8po/tant' it is not

a8iss to 8ention that the school is en5a5e1 in the p/o8otion of the ph&sical' intellectual an1e8otional :ell-bein5 of the count/&s &outh.

Respon1ent UN+ONs failu/e to i88e1iatel& co8pl& :ith the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ of 2

No0e8be/ (("' the/efo/e' cannot be con1one1.

The /especti0e liabilities of st/i>in5 union office/s an1 8e8be/s :ho faile1 to i88e1iatel&

co8pl& :ith the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ is outline1 in A/t. D)* of the Labo/ Co1e :hich p/o0i1es

that an& 1ecla/ation of a st/i>e o/ loc>out afte/ the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent hasassu8e1 Fu/is1iction o0e/ the labo/ 1ispute is consi1e/e1 an ille5al. act. An& :o/>e/ o/ union

office/ :ho >no:in5l& pa/ticipates in a st/i>e 1ef&in5 a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ 8a&' conseuentl&'Kbe 1ecla/e1 to ha0e lost his e8plo&8ent status.K

Section ) Rule +Q' of the Ne: Rules of P/oce1u/e of the NLRC' :hich p/o0i1es the penalties fo/ 1ef&in5 a ce/tification o/1e/ of the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ o/ a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ of the

Co88ission' also /eite/ates the sa8e penalt&. +t specificall& states that non-co8pliance :ith the

afo/esai1 o/1e/s' :hich is consi1e/e1 an ille5al act' Kshall autho/i@e the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1

E8plo&8ent o/ the Co88ission . . . to enfo/ce the sa8e un1e/ pain of loss of e8plo&8entstatus.K Un1e/ the Labo/ Co1e' assu8ption an1o/ ce/tification o/1e/s a/e si8ila/l& t/eate1.

Thus' :e hel1 in Sa/8iento 0. Tuico' sup/a' that b& insistin5 on sta5in5 the /est/aine1 st/i>e an11efiantl& pic>etin5 the co8pan& p/e8ises to p/e0ent the /esu8ption of ope/ations' the st/i>e/s

ha0e fo/feite1 thei/ /i5ht to be /ea18itte1' ha0in5 aban1one1 thei/ positions' an1 so coul1 be

0ali1l& /eplace1.

e /ecentl& /eite/ate1 this stance in e1e/ation of /ee o/>e/s 0. +ncion5' D :he/ein :e cite1

Union of ilip/o E8plo&ees 0. Nestle Philippines' +nc.' sup/a' thus ?

A st/i>e un1e/ta>en 1espite the issuance b& the Sec/eta/& of Labo/ of an assu8ption o/

ce/tification o/1e/ beco8es a p/ohibite1 acti0it& an1 thus ille5al' pu/suant to the secon1

pa/a5/aph of A/t. D)* of the Labo/ Co1e as a8en1e1 . . . The union office/s an1 8e8be/s' as a/esult' a/e 1ee8e1 to ha0e lost thei/ e8plo&8ent status fo/ ha0in5 >no:in5l& pa/ticipate1 in an

ille5al act.

,espite >no:le15e of the /ulin5 in Sa/8iento 0. Tuico' sup/a' /eco/1s of the case /e0eal that

p/i0ate /espon1ent UN+ON opte1 to 1ef& not onl& the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ of 2 No0e8be/ (("

but also that of ( No0e8be/ ((".

hile the& clai8 that afte/ /ecei0in5 cop& of the O/1e/ of ( No0e8be/ ((" initiati0es :e/e

i88e1iatel& un1e/ta>en to fashion out a /etu/n-to-:o/> a5/ee8ent :ith 8ana5e8ent' still' the

un/ebutte1 e0i1ence /e8ains that the st/i>in5 union office/s an1 8e8be/s t/ie1 to /etu/n to :o/>onl& ele0en


11/12

1ispla&e1 b& the UN+ON in this labo/ 1ispute. ,espite containin5 th/eats of 1isciplina/& action

a5ainst so8e union office/s an1 8e8be/s :ho acti0el& pa/ticipate1 in the st/i>e' the lette/ 1ate1

( No0e8be/ ((" sent b& the COLLEGE enFoinin5 the union office/s an1 8e8be/s to /etu/n to:o/> on D No0e8be/ ((" p/esente1 the :o/>e/s an oppo/tunit& to /etu/n to :o/> un1e/ the

sa8e te/8s an1 con1itions o/ p/io/ to the st/i>e. et' the UN+ON 1eci1e1 to i5no/e the sa8e. The

COLLEGE' co//espon1in5l&' ha1 e0e/& /i5ht to te/8inate the se/0ices of those :ho chose to1is/e5a/1 the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/s issue1 b& /espon1ent SECRETAR in o/1e/ to p/otect the

inte/ests of its stu1ents :ho fo/8 pa/t of the &outh of the lan1.

Lastl&' the UN+ON office/s an1 8e8be/s also a/5ue that the 1oct/ine lai1 1o:n in Sa/8iento 0.

Tuico' sup/a' an1 Union of ilip/o E8plo&ees 0. Nestle' Philippines' +nc.' sup/a' cannot be 8a1e

applicable to the8 because in the latte/ t:o cases' :o/>e/s 1efie1 the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/s fo/

8o/e than fi0e o/1e/' it is sai1' 1i1 not last 8o/ethan a 8onth.

A5ain' this line of a/5u8ent 8ust be /eFecte1. +t is clea/ f/o8 the p/o0isions abo0e uote1 that

f/o8 the 8o8ent a :o/>e/ 1efies a /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/' he is 1ee8e1 to ha0e aban1one1 his Fob. +t is al/ea1& in itself >no:in5l& pa/ticipatin5 in an ille5al act. Othe/:ise' the :o/>e/ :ill Fust

si8pl& /efuse to /etu/n to his :o/> an1 cause a stan1still in the co8pan& ope/ations :hile/etainin5 the positions the& /efuse to 1ischa/5e o/ allo: the 8ana5e8ent to fill e/s 0. +ncion5' sup/a' the :o/>e/s :e/e

te/8inate1 f/o8 :o/> afte/ 1ef&in5 the /etu/n-to-:o/> o/1e/ fo/ onl& nine i8bo an1 :ait until fi0e to :o/>. This is absu/1.

+n fine' /espon1ent SECRETAR 5/a0el& abuse1 his 1isc/etion :hen he o/1e/e1 the

/einstate8ent of st/i>in5 union 8e8be/s :ho /efuse1 to /epo/t bac> to :o/> afte/ he issue1 t:o

o/1e/s' :hich in itself is >no:in5l& pa/ticipatin5 in an ille5al act. The O/1e/in uestion is' ce/tainl&' cont/a/& to e;istin5 la: an1 Fu/isp/u1ence.

EREORE' the Petition fo/ Ce/tio/a/i is he/eb& GRANTE,. The O/1e/ of D Ap/il (( an1the Resolution # Ma& (( both issue1 b& /espon1ent Sec/eta/& of Labo/ an1 E8plo&8ent a/e

SET AS+,E insofa/ as the& o/1e/ the /einstate8ent of st/i>in5 union 8e8be/s te/8inate1 b&

petitione/' an1 the te8po/a/& /est/ainin5 o/1e/ e issue1 on %une D)' ((' is 8a1e pe/8anent.

No costs.

SO OR,ERE,.

C/u@' G/iIo-Auino an1 Me1ial1ea' %%.' concu/.

ootnotes

Rollo' p. **.

D +bi1.' p. #*.

# G.R. No $$D"' D# %anua/& ((' (# SCRA DD#.

* Nos. L-!2D!-!#' D! %une ($$ )D SCRA )!).

2 G.R. Nos. $$!"-D' ( ,ece8be/ ((" (D SCRA #(!.

) G.R. Nos. (D($-$#' ( %anua/& ((D.


12/12

! Me&caua&an Colle5e 0. ,/ilon' G.R. No. $**' ! Ma& ((" $2 SCRA 2".

$ G.R. No. !$("(' #" %une ($( !* SCRA )#D.

( G.R. No. $((D"' $ Octobe/ ((" (" SCRA !2(.

" #$ SCRA #!D

cases to digest tomorrow

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